Automatic weighing machine



June 15 192s. 1,589,270

J. B. VAN DEREN AU'IOMATTC WEIGHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 26. 1922 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

June 15 1926. 1, 9,270

J. B. VAN DEREN AUTOMATI C WEIGHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 26, 1922 2Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Patented June 15, 1926.

UNITED STATES JAMES B. VAN DEREK, OF KINGFISHER CDUNTY, OKLAHOMA.

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

Application filed September My invention relates to automatic weiglr ersen'iploying a two compartment coir tainer and doors in controlling thedischarge openin the conipartments, and among the ob ects of myimprovements are, sure and rapid operation combined with accurateweighing and a machine that will not leak or litter. lVith these andother objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel anduseful features of construction and combination of parts as hereinafterdescribed and claimed; and in order that it may be fully understood,reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1is a front elevation showing a container with portions cut away to showthe working parts described;

Figure 2 shows the relation of door hinges and adjacent parts to thecontainer and the manner of Hanging the side walls of the container ligure 3 shows one of the doors and the torsion supporting hinge bodyemployed;

Figure shows the rocker member with knife edge hearings;

Figure 5 is a side view of the last mentioned combination, and, forconvenience, shows the member mounted on the partition;

Figure 6 shows a did'ercnt form of defiector with flanges at either end;

Figure 7 shows another form oi deflector which may be employed;

Figure 8 shows a latch mechanism dillerent from that shown in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a side view of the last mentioned combination, and,

Figure 10 shows a section of grooved pulley with cable attached, whichmay be enr ployed in place of the rocker element shown in Fi iron 1, 4tand 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail. 1 indicates a container, 2 avertical partition dividing, {1 portion oi the container into twocompartments 3 and t. And 5 and t snow lugs to pivot on knife edges Tand 8, which linite edges are a portion oi? a scale yoke or beam (notshown) which rests on knife edges at 9 and it). t will thus be seen thatthe container is suspended from a scale beam, it heing deemedunnecessary to show the entire scale heam mechanism.

indicates a division bar extending drvrvnward from the par ition, and 12and 13 show wing doors for opening and closii'lg 26, 1922. Serial No.590,609.

the bottoms of the compartments alterately. The ends or" the doors areturned upward to overlap the sides of the compartments, wnen the doorsare closed, and to form a chute for directing the weighted commodityinto a receiver.

The doors are hinged at 14k and 15, which hinges are placed preferably,above the plane of the bottoms of the compartments respectively, whenthe doors are closed, and above the plane of the commodity supportingsurlaces or the doors. 16 indicates an upwardly extending flange at theouter edges or the doors respectively, and 17 shows the lower edge ofthe side walls of the respective con'ipartments curved inwardly anddownwardly to near the surfaces of the doors, when closed. \Vith thedoors hinged as indicated, there is a very wide opening between the edgect flange 17 and the door sni aces when the doors are open, and a suhsrrally complete closure when the doors are closed, and the flangespresent a thin edge to the door surfaces, in the closing movement, sothat should any commodity adhere to the door surfaces the flanges willcut through it, as the doors close, with out material y retarding thefree movement of the doors. And flange 16 will prevent any commoditythat might get behind flange 17 from getting out at the sides of thecompartment and will compe it to be discluirged in the regular way. Thiscombination shown quite clearly as indicated by numerals 15, 16 and 17in F are 2.

The division bar 11 permits placing the discharge openings of thecompartments close together without the opening door dis charging on tothe closing door, and permits the closed door assuming a relaxedposition without material discharge. And it will be noticed that, owingto the position oi. the door hinges, the doors have a freeing movementin relation to the division bar so that a very close joint may be madewithout dan "er of hanging in the opening movement of t c doors. In factthe surfaces of the division bar may he made slightly concave withoutdanger of the doors binding thereon in their opening movement.

Links '19 and 20 are pivotally connected to the doors rcspec ively, at1.9 and 20, their upper ends being pivotally connected respe-- tirely,to the respective arms of a T-shaped rocker ll and Wh'ih rocker isrigidly mr'i untcd on shaft which shaft is journalled on the container,it being important only, that the rocker be pivoted on surfaces bearinga fixed relation to the supporting portion of the door hinges.

Rigidly mounted on shaft 22 is lock ng lever 23, which is preferablymounted w thin the container, shown, which has oppositely extending arms2 1 and 25, adapted to engage with gravity catches 26 and 27, which, forconvenience, are shown mounted on hopper 28, but may be mounted on anyconvenient object stationary relative to the downward and upwardmovement of the container in response to a scale poise. The gravitycatches are provided with adjusting screws and 80. which normally reston knife edges 31 and 32, said adjusting screws providing means foradjustments as between the compartments so that they will each trip thelatch mechanism under a like accumulation of weight. The knife edges 31and 32 present a small surface to the adjustmg screws and thereforeprevent the accumulation of dirt under the free end of the gravitycatches which would prevent their seating the same during each weighingoperation I and consequently cause uneven weighing.

Pivotally mounted on hopper 28 is an oscillating chute 33, pivoted at 33and having a like pivot at the opposite end of the hopper {not shown),and adapted to alternately change the flow of commodity from onecompartment to the other as the doors are opened and closed. Means foreffecting this oscillation is provided by link 34 pivotally attached atone end to locking lever 23 at 3% and its other end to rocking lever 35at 36, which rocking lever is pivotally mounted on the container at 37,and to the upper arm of which is pivotally connected link 38, the otherend of said link being pivotally connected to chute 33 at 39.

It will be noticed that by reason of the pivotal connections of thelinks to the rocker 21 being above its pivotal mounting 22, the openingdoor gains in leverage as it opens while the closing doorl cooperativelydecreases in resistance, and that after the balanced relation point ispassed the opening door gains a preponderance of leverage, which willinsure the full opening of the door and full closing of the other door.This relation of parts also greatly reduces friction on the tripmechanism and causes a very quick movement of the deflector in the earlyportion of its movement, in relation to the movement of the doors.

The connection of the links 19 and 20 to the doors below the plane ofthe door hinges, relative to the supporting surfaces of the doors. andlaterally nearer the vertical plane of the hinges than the free edges ofthe doors, g'ves the doors a leverage on the links and gives the pivotpoints of the links a more pronounced movement toward the vertical planeof the door hinges, as the doors open, which tends to increase theleverage of the opening door and decrease the leverage of the closingdoor. Thus it will be seen that the doors cooperate with the rocker ingiving the opening door an increasing lever age and the closing door adecreasing resist ance, and, while this leverage may be obtained by therocker and its link connections alone, it is preferable that the doorsdo not detract from such leverage to any great extent.

By positioning the links to rocker 21 any desired degree of leverage maybe obtained, from the slightest to almost a complete lock, and, for allpurposes in a machine of this character, it may become a lock for it canbe made to sustain any load that should be placed in either compartmentof the container.

As this elen'ient of leverage can be made to greatly increase theoperative-power efficiency of the opening door and the hold ing power ofthe open door, it is very beneficial whether the operative power of theopening door is relied on for the operation of the doors and otheroperable elements or other power elements are employed therewith-it ispositive, reliable, economical and prevents strain or shaking motionbeing applied to the container as where extraneous power is whollyrelied on.

In operation, assuming that the parts bear the relation shown in Figure1, commodity will be directed into compartment 3 until the scale poiseis over-balanced, when the entire container will descend withdrawing armfrom engagen'ient with gravity catch 26, when locking lever 23 willswing to the left, rocker 21. accompanying it, which will permit door 12to open and close door 13, and arm 25 of the locking lever will passgravity catch 26 and be prevented from a return movement by engagementtherewith, thus locking door 13 in closed position. In the meantime thechute 33 will have changed its position and will direct the flow ofcommodity into compartment l. Should the container begin to ascendbefore the arm has passed the gravity catch, then the catch will yieldupwardly permitting the free passage of the arm to locking position andthen drop into place.

In Figures 1:; and 5 a different form of rocker bar and locking arm areshown; 10 indicates a bracket secure-cl to the partition 2. havingupwardly extending portions 41 and 4-2 which have a circular opening atthe tops thereof as shown at 41-3, and the lower end of the rocker 21has knife edges which rest in 1 said circular openings all and 42respectively, as shown in Figure 5. Links 19 and 20 are attached to therespective arms of the rocker as in Figure 1. An extension arm 23, ismade in connection with the rocker to take the place of locking arm 23of Figure 1.

The principal object of this combination is to secure a more quickaction of the doors and other parts by reduction of friction by use ofthe knife edges as bearings for the rocker, -d by placing the rocker onthe partition and having the locking arm as a part thereof, the links,or other power trans niitting means may be connected directly to thedoors without the intervention of the shaft 22, etc.

In Figure 3, 18 indicates the door hinge casting by the use of which itis unnecessary in small machines, like those used on grain threshers, touse links at both onus of the doors, the torsion of the castingsupporting the ends of the doors opposite to the links, and the weightof this casting at the pivot point of the links or nearer the free edgesof the doors materially assists in the holding power of the open door.

The deflector shown in Figure 6 is a blade like structure fastenedrigidly to sl'laft 22, but may be permitted to have play ccnneetiontherewith, and having upwardl; extending flanges at each end thereof +5,to form it into a chute. It will be readily understood that the bladewill, as the doors are opened and closed alternately, turn under hopperi 38 and direct the flow of com modity into the proper compartment.

The deflector shown in Figur 7 consists of a plate .8, with edges slighly curved 419 and 50, and with ends bent into a rectangular position toform it into a chute and to give surfaces for pivoting it to hopper 28as at 51 and a like pivot at the other end of the hopper (not shown).This deflector is operated by a pin or roller on locking arm 23 (notshown) engaging race 52 on the defleet-or. l l ith this relation ofparts it wil direct the flow of commodity into the eon1- pertinenthaving its door closed and will alternate as the doors are opened andclosed.

lYhile l-igure l.

chute or de'llector shown in considered preferable under most con d ens,the deflectors or chutes shown in r gures ti and 7 may be used toadvantage where the environment is not favorable for the use of thefirst mentioned, for instance, in some cases where this weigher isattached to an old elevator struture.

In the trip device shown in Figures 8 and 9, indicates a post fastenedrigidly to the partition 2, as at M and 55, provision made for shaftpassing tliirough the the post. 56, the shaft may be journalled therein, and a stop 57, is attached to the upper portion of the post in suchmanner as to permit to slide up and down at- The lower end of the stoprests on arm which is' pivoted on the post structure at 60, and

a link 61 is pivotally connected to the arm at 62. The upper end of saidlink being adapted to connection with any convenient object stationaryrelative to the downward and upward movement of the container. This tripis adapted to work in connection with locking lever in lieu of thegravity catches and 27, and adjustable g avitv catches may be employedasthe arms or the stop 57 (such gravity catches not shown), however thestop as shown will. yield upwardly to permit free passage of the lockinglever to locking position. 'I his trip may be employed where a morerestricted movement of the beam, or container is desired, or where adeeper engagement of the latch is nccess; nd as it is substantiallyselfcontained v th the container it is not subject to vibration.

In Figure 10, 63 indicates a grooved wheel like sector to be fastened toshaft 22 by set screw 6 and cable 653 occupies the grooved section. Thelower ends of the cable are attached to the doors respectively. Screw(37 holds the cable in position and also pro vides means fortigl'itening the cable, as between the doors, by pressing the cable downinto the circular opening with the screw 67 will tighten the cable. Itwill be understood that this combination will give the same leveragemoven'ient in relation to the doors as rocker 21, and it will also beunderstood that it may be used withknife edges as bearing shown inFigures 4.- and' and it will be found desirable under some cond tion,particularly where the conditions will permit the cables operatingthrough the compartments and consequently through the connnodity beingweighed.

From the above description, it will be apiiarent that I have producedimprovements in automatic weighers which will operate elliciently,reliably and embody the desirable features of simplicity, strength anddurabi .ity and comparative inexpensiveness of construction.

I desire the right to present additional claims from time to time as maybe necessary to fully protect my invention.

I claim:

1. In an ant -iatic weigher, a container having two compartments, wingpivoted doors ii'ontrolling the discharge openings of said coin.Jtnients re .vely, said doors havin I 7' extending thing at the outerthe.,col, and hinges above the plane of the F-LI f division bar betweenthe iree edges of the doors. a. rocker element pivotally mounted abovetie plane of said doors and so connected to said doors so that as eitherdoor shall open the other door shall close. the connections to therocker element being above the plane of the pivot mounting thereof.

2. In an automatic w'eigher, a container having two compartments, hingedwing doors controlliri the discharge openings of said compartmentsrespectively, said doors having upwardly extending flanges at the outeredges thereof, the hinge points of said doors placed above the plane ofthe commodity supporting surfaces of the doors, the lower side walls ofthe con'ipartments shaped to form a depending flange overlapping theinner surfaces of the flanges at the outer edge of said doors, when thedoors are closed, and a pivoted rocker element mounted above the planeof said doors with power transmitting means connected to said doorsrespectively and to respective sides of said element above the pivotalmounting thereof.

3. In an automatic weigher, a container having two compartments, hingedwing doors controlling the discharge openings 01 said compartmentsrespectively, the relation 01. the doors, hinges and adjacent portionsof the container, when the doors are closed, bearing substantially therelation shown in Figure 2 as indicated by numerals l5, l6 and 17, adivision bar between the tree edges oi the doors and a pivotally mountedrocker element above the plane or the doors and power transmitting meansconnecting the respective sides thereotl': to the doors respectively,the connections 01" said means to said rocker element being above thepivotal mounting thereof.

4. lIn an automatic weigher, a yieldingly elevated container having twocompartments, wing hinged doors controlling the discharge openings ofsaid compartments, respectively, a rocker element mounted pivotallyabove the plane of the doors and means connecting the respective sidesof said rocker element to said doors respectively, whereby as eitherdoor shall open the other door shall close, the connections out saidmeans to said rocker element positioned above the pivotal mounting ofsaid rocker element, an oscillating loching member bearing a fixedrelation to said rocker element, and a pair of adjustable gravitycatches mounted stationary relative to the upward and doi'vnwardmovement of the container and cooperating with said member to lock andunlock the doors alternately until a predetermined weight of commodityaccumulates in said compart ments.

5. In an automatic weigher, a container yieldingly suspended and havingtwo compartments, wing hinged doors controlling the discharge openingsof said compartments, a rocker element pivotally mounted above the planeof the doors and power transmitting means connecting the respectivesides of said element to said doors respectively, whereby as either doorshall open the other door shall close, the connections of said means tosaid rocker element positioned above the plane of the pivoted mountingthereof, and a latch mechanism to alternately hold and release the doorsas a predetermined weight oi commodity shall accumulate in saidcompartments respectively, and embodying normally overlapping elementswhich shall each recede from the other as the container moves downward.

6. in an automatic weigher, a yieldingly elevated container having twocompart ments, hinged wing doors controlling the discharge openings ofsaid compartments re spectively, an upwardly extending flange at theouter edges of said doors, the hinges of said doors positioned above theplane of the commodity supporting surfaces of the doors, the lower edgesof the outer side walls shaped to overlap the inner surfaces of saidupwardly extending flanges at the outer edges 01 the doors, when thedoors are closed, and a rocker element pivotally mounted above theplane. oi the hinges of the doors and power transmitting means connectedto the respective sides of said rocker element whereby as either doorshall open the other door shall close, the connections of said means tosaid rocker element positioned above the pivotal mounting of said rockerelement, and a latch mechanism to lock and unlock the doors.

7. in an automatic weigher, a yielding ly elevated container having twocompartments, wing hinged doors controlling the discharge openings ofsaid compartments, a rocker element pivotally mounted above the plane ofthe hinges 01" said doors with connections to said doors whereby eitherdoor shall open the. other shall close, the connections to said rockerelement positioned above the pivot point thereof and laterally atsimilar distances from the vertical plane of the pivotal. mounting ofsaid rocker element when in central position, and employing theoperative power of the opening door, under the gravitative force of theweighed commodity, irrespective oi. the downward movement of thecontainer, in closing the other door and in other operable elements.

8. In an automatic weigher, a two compartment container, a pair ofpivoted wing doors controlling the discharge openings of saidcompartments respectively, a pivotally mounted rocker element, linkspivotally connected to said doors and to respective sides of said rockerelement at points above the pivotal mounting thereof, a locking elementconnected to said rocker element and a pair of gravity catches adaptedto engage with respective sides of said locking element to alternatelylock and unlock said doors respectively.

9. In an automatic weigher, a two compartment container, a pair ofpivoted doors controlling the discharge openings of said compartmentsrespectively, a pivoted rocker element, links connecting said doorsrespectively to respective. sides of said rocker element at points abovethe pivot thereof, means for locking said rocker element in alternatereverse positions and thereby a1- ternatelylock and unlock the saiddoors, and a hopper like chute for feeding com-

